| Tennis training aid -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Tennis training aidUSPTO Application #: 20070123372Title: Tennis training aid Abstract: A tennis training aid can be used to teach proper wrist and racket position for swings such as a forehand ground stroke, two-handed backhand stroke, or volley. A training aid includes a forearm attachment member that can be quickly and easily attached to a player's forearm. A wrist positioning member can be attached between the forearm attachment member and the player's racket to maintain proper wrist angle and racket position. A first wrist positioning member can be used for a forehand ground stroke or two-handed backhand stroke, while a second wrist positioning member can be used for volleys. The forearm attachment member can include a rotatable member, and the wrist positioning member can be slightly elastic, in order to allow the racket to move slightly with respect to the wrist, and to allow for slight wrist movement, in order to provide a natural feel for the player. (end of abstract)
Agent: Dla Piper Rudnick Gray Cary Us, LLP - E. Palo Alto, CA, US Inventors: Raymond Neil Bilsey, James Bowmar Rodgers, Maurice Arthur LeBlanc USPTO Applicaton #: 20070123372 - Class: 473464000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Playing Field Or Court Game; Game Element Or Accessory Therefor Other Than Projector Or Projectile, Per Se, Practice Or Training Device, For Game Using Field Or Court Having Dividing Means Thereon For Separating Opponents (e.g., For Tennis, Volleyball, Table Tennis, Etc.), Player Worn Or Carried The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070123372. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/727,413 filed Oct. 17, 2005, and entitled Tennis Training Aid, which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to methods and devices useful for training, such as for training proper form when using a piece of athletic equipment. BACKGROUND [0003] There are several flaws that are common among tennis players, particularly those players just learning the game. Many of these flaws occur in the swing or stroke of a player, due in part to that player having improper positioning and/or movement of the wrist and/or racket. This can occur during a forehand ground stroke, a two-handed backhand stroke, one-handed backhand stroke, or a volley, for example. [0004] For a forehand ground stroke, the recommended wrist position has the wrist cocked or laid-back throughout the impact/contact position and throughout the forehand stroke. Many recreational players incorrectly snap their wrist forward, this forward movement of the wrist and corresponding decrease in angle being called "flexion." The palm of the hand typically is moved toward the front of the forearm (palmar surface of the forearm), resulting in an undesired movement in the forehand ground stroke that often is difficult for players to eliminate. Too much movement of the wrist at impact, or an improper wrist angle at impact, can adversely affect the control, power, and accuracy of a player, and eventually can affect that player's success and enjoyment of the game. [0005] A similar problem exists for a two-handed backhand ground stroke, particularly for the non-dominant hand. A flexion of the non-dominant hand can occur, as well as an improper setting of the wrist angle of that non-dominant hand. These flaws can again impact the control, power, and accuracy of a player. [0006] Other common flaws occur during volley. A volley is defined as a shot that is hit prior to the ball bouncing, and typically is hit close to the net. Usually a much shorter stroke should be employed, and the ball is hit with the racket titled upwards. Many players incorrectly drop their racket head during the volley stroke and employ too much wrist movement during the stroke. Good volley technique usually implies that the player keeps the racket tilted diagonally upwards, with the racket tip pointing away from the player (and slightly upward). It is common that players use too much wrist movement during the stroke. Many players also incorrectly drop their racket by moving their wrist downward during the volley stroke. [0007] A number of different training aids have been presented in the prior art to attempt to correct for some of these problems. There are a number of deficiencies with these devices, however, which have prevented their widespread acceptance and use. For example, many of these devices are uncomfortable to wear and can feel unnatural to use. Some of these devices are unnecessarily complicated. Some of these devices do not provide enough guidance as to the proper technique to train or drill with. Another problem is that a user or trainer must purchase several of these training aids to attempt to address these flaws. Some lack the ability to control or guide the hand or wrist while playing, thereby limiting their effectiveness. [0008] It would therefore be desirable to provide a tennis training aid that is operable in multiple usage modes to allow a player to easily, effectively and comfortably practice different types of tennis strokes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, a tennis training aid is provided. The tennis training aid includes a forearm attachment member operable to be releasably attached to a forearm of a player; and a wrist positioning member operable to be connected between the forearm attachment member and a tennis racket in order to hold the wrist of the forearm at a desired angle, wherein the wrist positioning member adjustable to allow the player to practice a plurality of different tennis strokes, such as a forehand stroke, a one and/or two-handed backhand stroke and a volley. [0010] In another embodiment of the present invention, a tennis training aid is provided. The tennis training aid includes a forearm attachment member operable to be releasably attached to a forearm of a player, and a wrist positioning member. The wrist positioning member is operable to be connected between the forearm attachment member and a tennis racket in a first usage mode in order to hold the wrist of the forearm at a first desired angle corresponding to a first type of tennis stroke, and is operable to be connected between the forearm attachment member and the tennis racket in a second usage mode in order to hold the wrist of the forearm at a second desired angle corresponding to a second type of tennis stroke. In one embodiment, the wrist positioning member is adjustable to allow the player to practice a plurality of different tennis strokes, such as a forehand stroke, a one and/or two-handed backhand stroke and a volley. [0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, a tennis training aid is provided. The tennis training aid includes a forearm attachment member operable to be releasably attached to a forearm of a player; and an adjustable wrist positioning member comprising a first portion that is operable to be connected to the forearm attachment member and a second portion including a pair of string hooks that are operable to be connected to string of a tennis racket in order to hold the tennis racket at a desired angle in the player's wrist. [0012] These and other features, advantages and embodiments will be appreciated by a review of the following detailed description and related drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] FIG. 1 is a view of a tennis training aid that can be used in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [0014] FIG. 2 is another view of the tennis training aid of FIG. 1. [0015] FIG. 3 is another view of the tennis training aid of FIG. 1. [0016] FIG. 4 is another view of the tennis training aid of FIG. 1. [0017] FIG. 5 is another view of the tennis training aid of FIG. 1. [0018] FIG. 6 is another view of the tennis training aid of FIG. 1. [0019] FIG. 7 is a view of a tennis training aid that can be used in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. [0020] FIG. 8 is another view of the tennis training aid of FIG. 7. Continue reading... Full patent description for Tennis training aid Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Tennis training aid patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Tennis training aid or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method and device for tennis training Next Patent Application: Basketball goal rim lock Industry Class: Games using tangible projectile ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Tennis training aid patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.49445 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Novartis , Pfizer , Philips , Polaroid , Procter & Gamble , |
||
